LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: Alexander Isak of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on November 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
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Alexander Isak surely never envisaged his first few months as a Liverpool player would be so fraught. In the summer, it appeared he was joining the best team in the Premier League. The team that ran away with the title the season before. Now, Isak is struggling to find a role in a side slumped in the bottom half of the table.
Isak certainly isn’t to blame for Liverpool’s dreadful form, but the Swedish striker’s arrival at Anfield in the summer transfer window might not have helped. There is a growing sense that the Reds attempted too much all at once by adding five starting players to its squad. Isak was the most notable addition.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool and Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
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He was certainly the most expensive, breaking the Premier League transfer record in joining from Newcastle United. Liverpool believed it had landed the best all-round centre forward in English soccer, but Isak has so far been a shadow of the player who electrified so many matches for the Magpies.
Part of the problem for Liverpool is that Hugo Ekitike operates in the same position, and in the same way, as Isak. The Frenchman also arrived in the summer transfer window, but unlike Isak has hit the ground running, scoring six goals in all competitions for his new team this season.
The balance is off all over the field for Liverpool. It is no longer playing with the intensity that characterised last season’s surge to the Premier League title. Arne Slot’s side has been vulnerable in defensive transition with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk both struggling for anything close to their best form.
Liverpool, United Kingdom – November 26: Virgil van Dijk of FC Liverpool looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on November 26, 2025 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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Isak’s signing was meant to elevate Liverpool to an even higher level, but so far the Swede has been part of a downward spiral that shows no sign of slowing any time soon. Isak has yet to score his first Premier League goal for the Reds in five appearances and is visibly lacking in confidence.
Slot is under pressure. Questions are starting to mount and the Dutch coach is struggling to come up with the answers. If Liverpool’s slide in form continues, Slot could soon face serious scrutiny over his future at the club. It’s certainly not guaranteed that Slot will see out the 2025/26 season in his position.
There’s still time for Liverpool and Isak to turn things around. A win over West Ham this week would point the Reds in the right direction again. After that, Liverpool has a favourable fixture at home to Sunderland. The picture could be brighter after those two games. Isak, however, has a point to prove.